But Spartan students responded en masse, making clear they value the time-honored preseason tradition.

The Izzone's 14th campout is held Friday night on Munn Field. Organizers moved the event traditionally held in late October up about one full month, obliging requests MSU students outlined in a survey about the campout issued over the summer.

"No one likes the cold, and there's not much we can do about that, but we've moved it to an earlier date," said Dan DiMaggio, director of the Association of Future Alumni—formerly known as the Student Alumni Foundation (SAF).

DiMaggio couldn't divulge the specific number of responses received from the 2,500-some Izzone, but he said the survey saw "substantial" participation, much of which made clear the campout should stay.

"There were mixed results, but the majority had said that they would like to keep the campout as it has been in the past," DiMaggio said.

That was music to fourth-year Izzoner Jon Weiss' ears.

"I'm very happy that it's a for-sure thing that's back," the 21-year-old senior from Saginaw said. "The campout is like the Izzone's signature because it just shows our toughness and really brings us in with the team. We're all one body, just looking for the win.

"The Izzone really helps the team out, and that's our goal. We just want to see Michigan State win, and the campout helps that."

The Breslin Center owns one of the best home-court advantages in all of college basketball. In Spartans' head coach Tom Izzo's 18 seasons at the helm, Michigan State boasts a 262-36 home record, including four undefeated home campaigns, four with just one home loss and another four with two home defeats. That mark is good for an .879 home winning percentage.

Weiss said the Izzone is an obvious factor into that gaudy statistic.

"We really feel like we're part of it, part of the team," he said.

Other changes to this year's Izzone campout include a new layout to the event on Munn Field, expanded activities and, biggest of all, a viewing of the Spartans' first full practice of the 2013-2014 season. For third-year Izzoner Ally Kundinger, that's reason enough to attend.

"I'm really looking forward to it," the 20-year-old junior from Midland said. "I'm excited, because watching that practice is going to be really awesome."

Friday's weather forecast also is really awesome, with sunny skies and temperatures peaking in the mid-70s projected. That's a big and welcome change from a year ago, Kundinger said.

"I'm really glad it got moved back," she said. "I was not expecting it to be so bad last year, but I was freezing."

Weiss had similar sentiments.

"I remember last year walking out of my tent about 3 or 4 a.m. to go to the bathroom and it was just bitterly cold," he said, recounting below-freezing temperatures. "I also remember thinking I had it well off because the guys next to my tent slept outside in their sweatshirts and blankets."

The Izzone campout signals the beginning of a new basketball season, and the upcoming one is on the front of Spartans' minds. The team returns four starters and much of its bench from a season ago, and also returns two players who were sought by the NBA, Adreian Payne and Gary Harris.

It's the highest expectations for an already prominent Spartan basketball program since 2010-2011. The changes to this year's campout only add to the excitement, Kundinger said.

"It just sends a message that we are the sixth man, we're part of the team, we still matter," she said. "Having us a little more integrated makes us feel a little more important."